The Portland daily press., 1887-06-22
AT BELIZE.
A Portland Engineers Experience In
Central America.

Mr.. George Batty, marine engineer, has
just arrived from Honduras, and Is now at
his home, No. % Cedar street, in this city.
Mr.. Batty started from Bath two years ago
as engineer Of the small steamer Pancho,
for Central America. The steamer was sent
out by the Tropical Product Company Of
Boston and the advertised purposeIwas to
run on the rivers Of Honduras in the fruit
carrying trade. The steamer was command
ed by Capt. Thompson Of Bath, and the
crew consisted Of five men. 1t took AZ days
to reach their destination. Twice the steam
er went ashore, but was got off without
much damage. On arriving at Livingston,
Guatemala, it was found that there was no
intention of using the steamer for the truit
trade as represented. In a short time the
steamer proceeded to Belize rand began
freight and passenger business between
that town and neighboring ports. Through
lad management this business failed to pay,
and Mr.. Batty, at the end of four months.
left the boat, not having received his wages.
He settled down in Belize, and opened a
small machine shop in which he did business
enough to support himself, adding to his in
come by giving musical entertainments, play
ing on the harmOnica and whistling, in
which accomplishment he is an adept. BY
the aid Of the American Consul he succeed
ed in collecting the. balance Of his wages af-
ter considerable delay.
When Mr. Batty arrived at Belize he was
told that he must drink hard or he would
have the yellow fever. He declined to drink
however, and was looked upon with great
curiosity as the only American ever seen
there who would not smoke or drink. He
had the fever in a bad form, but survived.
Most Of the medicine which they gave him
he dropped behind his bed, and he attributes
his recovery to this circumstance. The prac-
tice of drinking in Belize is universal, for
people imagine that they can't do without
it. The Episcopal church in Belize has
temperance society, in which the pledge pro-
vides that man may drink all he can stand
up under, but those who sign it solemnly
promise to stop when they get enough that
is, they engage not to get drunk.
Large numbers Of men go through Belize
on their way to the mines of Honduras.
These mines are swindle, there not being
gold or silver enough there to pay for getting
It out. IL is next to impossible to persuade
those who have the mining fever to turn
back. They have theories Of their own that
they will do differently from those who have
preceded them. Mr. Batty says he has in
vain tried to talk men out Of the idea Of go
ing to the mines. In short time they have
returned to his machine shop and begged for
food. On good authority Mr. Batty saws
that there is undoubtedly gold and silver all
through the country, but not in paying guam
titles,
A short time ago, the steamer Pancho, in
which Mr.. Batty went to Central America.
vas sold for $500, her original cost being
$1,000. Mr.. Batty returned on the steamer
Aguan, going to Aspinwall, from there 70
Jamaica, and thence to Boston. He now
proposes to work at his trade in Portland for
the present.
He brought with him pair Of parrots, a
young tiger and number OF curiosities The
tiger has been sold to Boston parties, and
will be put into one of the museums there.